The cold case involved the rape of a 16-year-old girl who was attacked as she entered her apartment building on the Lower East Side in December of 1993.

Just under ten years later, before the clock ran out on the statute of limitations on rape, the district attorney indicted a John Doe based on a DNA profile from the girl’s attacker.

Then last year, Alberto Barriera was arrested in Virginia and was convicted of drug possession.

His genetic profile was entered into a national database where it matched the DNA sample taken from the 1993 New York City attack.

Barriera pleaded guilty Wednesday to rape after he admitted attacking the teen 18 years ago. Defense lawyer Ralph Cherchian says Barriera felt the plea was in his best interest.

His guilty plea will get him a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.

He’s already serving seven years in prison for his conviction in Virginia.

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